Candidates running for the UCP nomination in the constituency of Edmonton West Henday posed for pictures at a pub event last Friday with the Soldiers of Odin, an anti-immigration group that originated in Finland and has been linked to neo-Nazis in Europe. The Canadian branch says it is not racist but more of a neighbourhood watch.

“Why are these folks showing up at these events and feeling as though they are welcomed?” Notley said at the legislature Tuesday.

“If you use dog-whistle politics enough, eventually soon enough people are going to respond to the whistle.”

Notley described such politics as a “subtle embracing of issues that are designed to attract people with fairly extreme opinions to your movement. That’s something that we’ve been seeing on the right more and more.”

Watch: Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is calling on UCP Leader Jason Kenney to “stop approving candidates for nomination who espouse hate.” It comes after three UCP candidates appeared to pose for photos with members of the extremist hate group Soldiers of Odin at a UCP function at an Edmonton pub Friday night.

Two of the candidates, Kenney, and the riding association say the Soldiers of Odin crashed the event and the candidates didn’t know who they were with when they posed for photos. They unreservedly denounced the group’s views.

UCP Edmonton-West Henday candidate Leila Houle, left, poses with members of the Soldiers of Odin at a UCP pub night on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018.

Members of the Soldiers of Odin pose for photos at a UCP event in Edmonton Friday, Oct. 5, 2018.

Credit: Facebook: Soldiers of Odin Edmonton

Members of the Soldiers of Odin pose for photos at a UCP pub night in Edmonton Friday, Oct. 5, 2018.

Credit: Facebook: Soldiers of Odin Edmonton

Members of the Soldiers of Odin pose for photos at a UCP event in Edmonton Friday, Oct. 5, 2018.

Credit: Facebook: Soldiers of Odin Edmonton

Members of the Soldiers of Odin pose for photos at a UCP event in Edmonton Friday, Oct. 5, 2018.

Credit: Facebook: Soldiers of Odin Edmonton

Notley said what happened highlights a trend in right-wing politics and Kenney’s party. She noted that others running for candidacy in the UCP in recent months have either been rejected or allowed to run despite expressing bigoted comments.

“This is not an isolated incident,” said Notley.

“We also look at this pattern that we see developing with respect to the proliferation of candidates with that (UCP) party that also appear to hold views that are rooted in hate.”

She said such views must be challenged loudly and repeatedly, and called on Kenney to do more than send out statements on social media.

“He needs to speak directly to it … and very definitively declare, not only his position, but what they will do to stop it from happening in the future.”

Watch below: Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says the UCP needs to take more leadership when it comes to approving candidates for nomination. Notley said there is a “troubling trend” that needs to be addressed and that hateful views will not be accepted in government.